I would love to go to Iraq! My Dad from Aberdeenshire taught in Mosul university in the 1970s and described it as a beautiful place with an amazing culture. I have always wanted to go ever since. Sorry to hear about the troubles with war and destruction caused by invasions. It always makes me sad when I think about the war and the terrible effect on ordinary people from Iraq. Maybe one day in the future I will visit! Solidarity from Scotland!
That rhythmic thing he's doing with his 'added sub-syllables' treatment of the lyrics is something he pairs up with the guitar bass line in several of the songs on this album and he somehow manages to carry this off better than just about anyone else, especially with that rich, characterful timbre and vocal range and depth that he brings to whatever he sings. He's more widely recognised for his distinctive guitar sound and techniques, but for me, his extraordinary voice, not to mention his uncanny 'ear' for powerful refrains and drama in lyrical material that he was able to pick out and re-work to fit in with his musical imagination, I look back and feel that he had the kind of performing talents and arrangement capabilities which would have opened up a broad range of acoustic material to an audience that was much larger than anything else which came to prominence in the otherwise (un)fairly short-lived 'second(ish) folk revival' Ah, what might have been'.
I've heard maybe 50 versions of Sir Patrick Spens, but none better than this. And thanks for the link to Nic's website! (There are several of his CD's I suddenly can't live without :-))
First knew The Ballad of Sir Patrick Spens from the written ballad in high school - What a great pleasure to hear Nic Jones singing it! Splendid! Many thanks!
As a Scots schoolboy, I had to learn to this..........in the broad Scots vernacular to boot. Not impressed. I was indifferent to the sung version until I heard this. Just brilliant. NJ is a genius. Wonderful to see and hear him perform again.
BRILLIANT, BRILLIANT, BRILLIANT, gave the pretender scotsmans (ewan mcoll) version a listen , so much verbal meandering, however Nic Jones cut. to the chase of directness and you are instantly in with the story.........the guitar rocks.
First thing I ever heard Nic Jones play. In the subterranean bar of the BEA (British European Airways, now half of British Airways) West London Air Terminal, Brompton Rd, London. A colleague, Dave Royal, knew him (probably still does) and invited him along to the Folk Club (struggling to recall the name) there in 1970 / 71. Bought the LP immediately afterwards in a local Earls Court record shop. Only later, hearing other versions, did I realise how good it is. A fine memory.
Totally brilliant, Nic. Loved your work since the first album. We met in a studio in Soho once. "Blow the Man Down". Saw you in Lewes a few years ago. Hope you and family are well.
@wilfridthesiger i love fairport, and i love their version of this song. but i can't help thinking that this version and arrangement have SOOO much to offer in a totally different musical idiom. this is a very versatile arrangement.
I have a teacher wanting to know if you could send me (or comment) the words to this to give them to her. She's trying to help another student with a project based upon this poem.
if you're going to sing a Scottish Ballad at least do it justice and use the Scot's words and don't change it to this dreadful English style. This is a good example of how to murder and ruin a fine traditional ballad.
